Label applying machine



y 7, 1959 R. DIXON 2,893,586

LABEL. APPLYING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig./ Z

Richard L. Dixon IN VEN TOR.

Y WMEM July 7, 1959 R. L. DIXON LABEL APPLYING MACHINE Filed June 2c, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Richard L. Dixon IN VEN TOR.

BY -W July 7, 1959 R. L. DIXON LABEL APPLYING MACHINE! Filed June 2Q, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet Z5 ,lll

Richard L. Dixon INVENTOR.

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United States Patent LABEL APPLYING MACHINE Richard L. Dixon, Lebanon, 0reg., assignor of fifty percent to Victor B. Dixon, Lebanon, Oreg.

Application June 20, 1956, Serial No. 592,659

18 Claims. (Cl. 216-42) This invention relates to machines for applying labels and particularly to a machine for applying labels simultaneously onto the opposite ends of an article.

An object of the present invention is to provide a practical machine for applying labels onto the opposite ends of cylindrical objects, as rolls of paper, the machine having in its support a labeling station which is fitted with a pair of presses that operate in response to the entry of an article into the station, the presses being pivotable toward the ends of the article and arranged to press a gummed label on opposite surfaces of the article, the gummed label being held in place by suction in the presses which suction is released by a novel valve mechanism at or near the top of the stroke of the presses whereby the pressure sensitive adhesive on the labels maintains them on the article. 1

A further object of the invention is to provide a label applying machine as described above wherein there are automatically operative means for ejecting the article from the labeling station after labels have been applied to opposite surfaces thereof, the ejection being caused by the entry of another article into the labeling station, this movement of the second or approaching article being used to operate a lever that is mechanically connected to a part on the support which is contacted by the article in the labeling station.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a machine which is capable of applying labels onto opposite surfaces of articles wherein the presses used to lift the labels and place them onto the surfaces of the article are fitted with valve assemblies that automatically vent the suction chambers of the presses so that the labels are released and adhere to the article, the valveassemblies being of extremely simple construction and each including only a rocker having a valve element at one end and an adjustable stop on the main frame or support of the machine, this adjustable stop being in the path of movement of the rocker so that the valve timing may be altered in accordance with the desires of the machine operator by changing the location of the stop so that the rocker strikes the stop for valve actuation at diiferent positions of the stroke of the press with which it is associated.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is an elevational view of a labeling machine that is constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top view of the structure in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevational view similar to Figure 1 but showing a second position of operation;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5- 5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 66 of Figure 2 and showing principally the press construction and in one position, that is, a position with an article in the labeling station of the machine;

Figure 7 is a sectional view similar to Figure 6 but showing the press in another position, that is, the position when the labeling station is empty;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 88 of Figure 1 and illustrating principally the ejector mechanism used to discharge the article from the labeling station after it has had gummed labels applied to opposite surfaces thereof; and,

Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the press at one end of the labeling station in the machine.

In the accompanying drawings there is a labeling machine 10 that has been constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention. This labeling machine has legs 11 and 12 at one end together with legs 13 and 14 at the opposite end. A lower platform 15 is secured to the four legs and has a motor and compressor 16 located thereon. A support rod 17 extends between a pair of the legs on which T-fitting 18 is slidably mounted for movement from one end of the machine to the other end, within the limitations of a copiously supplied suction line 20 which extends from the compressor to the T-fitting 18. Suction lines or hoses 22 and 24 are connected with the T-fitting 18 and proceed respectively to the presses or heads 26 and 28 that are fed by hand or by standard label feeding equipment.

A table top 30 is secured to the upper ends of the legs 11, 12, '13 and 14 and it has a pair of parallel elongated slots 32 and 34 in order to provide for necessary adjustment of press 28 with respect to the fixed head 26. A central elongated cutout 36 is in the table top 30 and is located between the slots 32 and 34 in order to have ample room for the passage of the suction lines 22 and 24 that must connect to the heads 26 and 28.

Press 28 comprises a plate 40 having sides 41 and 42. There are a pair of bolts 43 and 44 passed through holes in the plate 40 and passed through slots 32 and 34. There are nuts on the ends of these bolts, and the bolt and nut assemblies function to hold plate 40 and hence the entire press 28 in a selected position of adjustment on table top 30. By altering the location of press 28 with respect to press 26, the distance between the presses is altered, thereby adjusting the length of the labeling station 48 to fit the size of article 50 that is being handled by the machine. Suction head 52 is mounted for pivotal movement on a pair of trunnions 53 and 54 that are carried by the sides 41 and 42 that rise from plate 40. These trunnions pass through holes in ears 55 and 56 on suction head 52. The head is formed of a pair of spaced parallel plates 58 and 59 that are joined at their edges and have a suction chamber 60 between them. The plates are reduced to a conduit 62 at their lower ends, on which suction line 24 is fastened, as by a hose clamp 64. A number of orifices 66 are in plate 58 in order to hold by suction the typical label 68 thereon. A valve opening 70 is in plate 59 and is adapted to be controlled by a valve element 71 at the upper end of rocker 72. Spindle 73 that is carried by a bracket or brackets on the rear surface of plate 59, is passed through ears on the rocker 72, mounting the rocker intermediate its ends for pivotal movement on the suction head 52. Torsion spring 75 has one end react ing on rocker 71 and the other end reacting on the suction head 52, constantly biasing the rocker 72 in such direction that the valve element 71 closes the valve opening 70.

At the rear center part of plate 40 there is a bracket 77 that is fastened to the plate 40. Stop 78 is welded or otherwise fixed to bracket 77 and forms a seat for the valve rocker when the press is in one position (Fig. 7). This assures that the valve will remain in the closed position during this period of the operation of the machine. Stop 80 is adjustably carried by stop 78 and comprises a rod that is passed through a bore 81 in stop 78 and that is held in place by means of set screw 82 adjustably carried by stop 78 and bearing on rod 80. When press 28 is moved to the position shown in Figure 6, the lower end of rocker 72 bears against the extremity of stop 80 thereby oscillating the rocker and separating the valve element 71 from the valve opening 70. This vents the suction chamber 60 thereby freeing the label 68 from the suction head.

I Press 28 has a pair of downwardly inclnied walls 84 and 85 near the lower edges thereof, these downwardly and inwardly inclined walls 84 and 85 being secured to plate 40 and the sides 41 and 42 which rise therefrom. Horizontal extensions 86 and 87 of the inclined Walls 84 and 85 lead articles, such as article 50 into the labeling station 48 whose bottom is formed by the inclined walls 84 and 85 of press 28 and identical inclined walls on press 26.

As an article enters the labeling station 48, it comes to bear on a Wheel 89 which is mounted on arm 90, the latter being a cantilever which proceeds from plate 58 and moves into the station 48 between the confronting but spaced ends of inclined walls 84 and 85. The force and weight of the article 50 swings the suction head 52 of press 28 upwardly about trunnions 53 and 54, the movement of the suction head 52 being yieldingly opposed by spring 93 which is secured at one end to suction head 52 and secured at the other end to one of the walls that rise from plate 40. Just prior to reaching the top of the stroke, valve rocker 72 has its lower end come to bear against the extremity of 'stop' 80 thereby opening the valve against the yielding opposition of spring 75. This position is depicted in "Figure 6. Upon removal of the article from the labeling station, spring 93 returns the suction head of the press to the position shown in Figure 7 whereby torsion spring 75 closes the valve and this is assured by having the rocker come to bear against stop 78. In addition, the spring 93 returns the suction head to such position that the station 48 is in condition to receive and accept another article to be labeled. Inasmuch as press 26 is identical in all respects to press 28, including both structure and operation, a detailed description of the parts which make up press 26 is considered unnecessary. Press 26 has inclined walls which make up a part of the bottom of station 48 and has a suction head pressure sensitive adhesive, they will adhere to the article 50.

Means are operatively connected with the main frame Or support of the machine for automatically ejecting an article 50 from the labeling station 48 after the labels have been applied to opposite surfaces thereof and when another article commences to enter the labeling station 48. These means are best in Figures 2 and 8.

These means consist of an ejector plate 100 Whose normal rest position is generally coplanar with inclined wall 84 and beneath the article 50 in labeling station 48. Lever 102 is secured to plate 100 and is mounted on rod 104 for oscillatory movement. This rod extends across the back of the support and is carried by brackets 105 and 106 which extend from the legs 12 and 14. Rod 104 forms a fulcrum about which lever 102 oscillates. The outer extremity of this lever has a slot 108 in which pin 110 is mounted, the latter being secured to push rod'112. This push rod is passed through a guide opening 114 in a supporting member 116 that is secured to the table top 30; Roller 120 at 7 press.

2,893,586 e e f the upper extremity of push rod 112 is adapted to be contacted by an advancing article seeking to enter the labeling station 48.

The articles may be fed from an inclined conveyor or otherwise arranged to enter the machine. In entering the labeling station, the article must roll over push rod 112 and specifically, the roller 120 at the upper extremity thereof. This depresses the lever 1G2 causing the ejector plate to be elevated and push the article that occupies labeling station 48 from the labeling station.

At the time that article 50 enters the station 48, it comes to bear on the two rollers or wheels of the presses 26 and 28 causing them to operate in the manner described previously in order to apply gummed labels onto opposite surfaces thereof. Then, when the next article commences to enter the labeling station 48, the article occupying that station is ejected by the ejecting mechanism allowing the two presses to return to the rest position (Fig. 3) for actuation in connection with the article that is entering the labeling station 48.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However,

since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In a machine to apply gummed labels onto opposite surfaces of an article, the combination of a support having a labeling station, a pair of confronting presses, means pivotally mounting said presses on said support for movement toward said station, mechanical means on said presses and protruding into said station to pivot said presses toward said surfaces of the article in response to the movement of the article into said labeling station, means including a source of suction for holding labels on said presses, and suction valves carried by said presses and arranged to open as the labels on said presses come to bear on said article.

2. In a machine to apply gummed labels onto opposite surfaces of an article, the combination of a support having a labeling station, a pair of confronting presses, means pivotally mounting said presses on said support for movement toward said station, mechanical means on said presses and protruding into said station to pivot said presses toward said surfaces of the article in response to the movement of the article into said labeling station, means including a source of suction for holding labels on said presses, suction valves carried by said presses and arranged to open as the labels on said presses come to bear on said article, ejecting means adjacent to the article in said station and carried by said support, a lever connected to the last-mentioned means and having an end in the entrance to said station and adapted to be oscillated by another article entering said labeling station in order to empty said station by pivoting said ejecting means.

3. A machine to apply gummed labels onto the opposite ends of an article, said machine comprising a support having a labeling station, a press pivoted to said support, means on said press and actuated by the article as it moves into said station for moving the press in a direction to move against a part of the article and deposit a label thereon, a spring connected to said press and said support to return said press when the article is moved from said station, said press having a plurality of apertures,

. and a suction chamber in said presswith which said apertures are in registry in order to hold the label on said 4. A machine to apply gummed labels onto the opposite ends of an article, said machine comprising a support havinga labeling station, a press pivoted to said support, means on said press and actuated by the article as it moves into said station for moving the press in a direction' to move against a part of the article and deposit a label thereon, a spring connected to said press and said support to return said press when the article is moved from saidstation, said press having a plurality of apertures, a suction chamber in said press with which said apertures are in registry in order to hold the label on said press, a valve carried by said press, and means to open said valve when said press is pivotally moved to a label applying position.

5. The machine of claim 4 wherein there are auto matic means to eject the article from said station when another article enters said station.

6, In a machine to apply gummed labels onto opposite surfaces of an article, the combination of a support having a labeling station, a pair of confronting presses, means pivotally mounting said presses on said support for movement toward said station, mechanical means on said presses and protruding into said station to pivot said presses toward said surfaces of the article in response to the movement of the article into said labeling station, means including a source of suction for holding labels on said presses, suction valves carried by said presses and arranged to open as the labels on said presses come to bear on said article, ejecting means adjacent to the article in said station and carried by said support, a lever connected to the last-mentioned means and having an end in the entrance to said station and adapted to be oscillated by another article entering said labeling station in order to empty said station by pivoting said ejecting means, and a spring secured to each press and to said support, said springs being arranged to return said presses after applying the labels on the articles in said station.

7. In a machine to apply gummed labels onto opposite surfaces of an article, the combination of a support having a labeling station, a pair of confronting presses,

means pivotally mounting said presses on said support for movement toward said station, mechanical means on said presses and protruding into said station to pivot said presses toward said surfaces of the article in response to the movement of the article into said labeling station, means including a source of suction for holding labels on said presses, suction valves carried by said presses and arranged to open as the labels on said presses come to bear on said article, ejecting means adjacent to the article in said station and carried by said support, a lever connected to the last-mentioned means and having an end in the entrance to said station and adapted to be oscillated by another article entering said labeling station in order to empty said station by pivoting said ejecting means, a spring secured to each press and to said support, said springs being arranged to return said presses after applying the labels on the article in said station, a valve to control the suction in each press, each valve including a valve element, a rocker on which said valve element is secured and said rocker being arranged to contact a part of said support and open the valve as its press is pivoted to a position wherein the label is being applied to the article.

8. The machine of claim 7 wherein said part of said support is a stop, and means adjustably mounting said stop so as to vary the timing of said valve.

9. In a machine for applying gummed labels onto opposite surfaces of an article, a main support, a press, said support having a. top on which said press is attached, a second press, means adjustably mounting said second press on the first press so that the space between presses may be altered to suit the size of articles being handled by the machine, said space between said presses constituting a label applying station, inclined walls in said station for supporting the article while a label is being applied thereto, said presses including suction heads, means mounting said suction heads for oscillation inwardly and from said station, a valve operatively connected with each suction head in order to release the label that is carried by suction, spring means on each head biasing said valve to the closed position, spring means opposing the operation of said suction heads in one direction and for returning said heads, and means constituting a part of each press for retaining said valves in the closed position when said suction heads are spread from away from said station.

l0..The machine of claim 9 together with additional means that also constitutes a part of each press for opening said valves automatically in response to motion of said suction heads to the label applying position.

11. In a machine for applying gummed labels onto opposite surfaces of an article, a main support, a press, said support having a top on which said press is attached, a second press, means adjustably mounting said second press on the first press so that the space between presses may be altered to suit the size of articles being handled by the machine, said space between said prmses constituting a label applying station, inclined walls in said station for supporting the article while a label is being applied thereto, said presses including suction heads, means mounting said suction heads for oscillation inwardly and from said station, a valve operatively connected with each suction head in order to release. the label that is carried by suction, spring means on each head biasing said valve to the. closed position, spring means opposing the operation of said suction heads in one direction and for returning said heads, means constituting a part of each press for retaining said valves in the, closed position when said suction heads are spread from away from said station, an ejector plate carried by said support and located between said presses, and means operatively connected to said ejector plate and arranged in the entrance of said station for actuating said ejector plate by a succeeding article that enters the station.

12. In a machine for applying gummed labels onto the opposite surfaces of an article, a pair of presses which include pivotally mounted suction heads, each suction head having a 'valve to release a suction held label that is carried by it, a stop for each press, said stop being arranged to contact its valve to hold its valve in the closed position when its press is in one position, and adjustable stop means to open said valve when its press is in the label applying position.

13. A machine to apply labels on an article, said machine comprising a support having a stationary label applying station, means in said station against which one part of the article is adapted to temporarily rest, a press, means movably mounting said press on said support, pneumatic means connected with said press to hold a label while moving the press and thereby conveying the label onto the article in said station, means connected to said press and operable in response to the movement of an article into said station for moving said press to the label applying position in said station, said means against which the article is adapted to temporarily rest including a second. press against which a label is adapted to adhere, means pivotally attaching said second press to said support, mean-s connected to said second press for moving said second press inwardly of said station in response to the entry of an article into said station, said pneumatic means comprising suction applying means connected with said presses, each press having a suction chamber, a valve opening connected with said chamber, a valve member for said opening, and means for separably retaining said valve member in a position to close said opening.

14. A machine to apply labels on an article, said machine comprising a support having a stationary label applying station, means in said station against which one part of the article is adapted to temporarily rest, a press, means ,movably mounting said press on said support, pneumatic means connected with said press to hold a label While moving the press andthereby conveying the label onto the article in said station, means connected to said press and operable in .response to the movement of an article into said station for moving said press to the label applying position in said station, and said means against which the article is adapted to temporarily rest including a second press against which a label is adapted to adhere, means pivotally attaching said second press to said support, means connected to said second press for moving said second press inwardly of said station in response to the entry of an article into said station, suction applying means connected with said presses, each press having a suction chamber, a valve opening connected with said chamber, a valve member for said opening, .a spring reacting on said valve member and holding said member separably over said opening, a stop against which said valve member bears 'when said press is moved to the label applying position and by which said valve member is pivoted to separate from said openmg.

15. The machine of claim 14, wherein there are means adjustably mounting said stop to alter the press position atwhich said valve opening admits air into said suction chamber.

16. The machine of claim 15, wherein there is a stop carried by said support on which said valve member seats when said press is in a rest position, and said stop constituting the means which hold said press in the rest position.

17. A machine to apply labels on an article, said machine comprising a support having a stationary label applying station, means in said station against which one part of the article is adapted to temporarily rest, a press,

means movably mounting said presson said support, pneumatic means connected with said press to hold a label while moving the press and therebyconveying the label onto the article in said station, means connected to said press and operable in response -to the movement of an article into said station for moving said press to the label applying position in said station, and said label applying station having pairs of inclined Walls forming a :cradle within which to accommodate .the articles.

18. A machine to .apply labels on an article, said machine comprising a support having a stationary label applying station, means in said station against which one part of the article is adapted to temporarily rest, .a press, means movably mounting said press on said support, pneumatic means connected with said press to hold .a label while moving the press and thereby conveying the label onto the article in said station, means connected to said press and operable in response to the movement of an article into said station for moving said press to the label applying position in said station, said label applying station having pairs of inclined walls forming a cradle within which to accommodate the articles, and said press moving means including an arm secured to said press and protruding between the walls of one of said pairs of inclined walls.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,425,351 Weeks Aug. 8, 1922 1,912,989 McNair June 6, 1933 2,201,207 Schmidt et a1. May 21, 1940 2,342,583 Hoppe et a1 Feb. 22, 1944 2,553,057 Lobasso May 15, 1951 2,597,431 Beck May 20, 1952 2,687,819 Hill et a1 Aug. 31, 1954 

